We use roads every day and usually, people drive on the right side. Why do we actually drive on the right and not on the left? In this article, we will look at the history. This article will go back to history and explain how these rules were created.
To answer this question, we have to go back to history. In ancient Egypt, it was common to drive on the left, mainly for the safety of horse riders. Most riders were right-handed, so they held their weapon in their right hand. That made it safer for them to have an oncoming rider on their left in case of an attack.
So why do we drive on the right?
Right-hand traffic began to spread in Europe after the Napoleonic Wars.
Napoleon led his army on the right side of the road. This was probably due to the French historical experience where riders rode on the left, but pedestrians walked on the right. Another reason was likely that Napoleon was left-handed. In the conquered territories Napoleon introduced the ride to the right.
After World War I, cars with left-hand steering began to spread in Europe. Probably because cars from the USA were being imported in large numbers.
In 1926 was established the Paris Convention.
What about the USA?
In the USA has been ridden to the right since the 18th century. The trucks were towed by several pairs of horses. The riders usually held the whip in their right hand and therefore sat on one of the horses on the left. In 1792 right-hand traffic entered the law on the road between Philadelphia and Lancaster.
So which countries still drive on the left?
- United Kingdom
- Ireland
- Japan
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Indonesia
- South Africa
- India
- Thailand
And what about you? Is there a topic that you would like to know the answer to? Write it in the comments, and if possible, I will be happy to prepare an article that will answer your question.
The image was obtained from Pixabay.
Here is the Czech version of the article.